Texas is one of the poorest states in the country; business is booming for predatory lenders. Payday, car title, and other high-cost, unscrupulous financing services make up a $6 billion-a-year industry that strips $1.5 billion in interest and fees from local economies.

More than 80,000 Hispanic, Pacific Rim, Kurd, Egyptian, Somali, and Sudanese, immigrants live in Nashville and middle Tennessee as New Americans. Many dream of purchasing a home but can’t apply for a traditional mortgage because of ethical norms.